Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland

Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland (* November 10, 1341, † February 19, 1408 ) was an English nobleman who played a significant role at the time of the Lancaster kings and IV in William Shakespeare's history plays Richard II and Henry as " Northumberland " occurs.

Life

Henry Percy was the son of Henry de Percy, 3rd Baron Percy and Mary of Lancaster ( daughter of Henry Plantagenet, 3rd Earl of Lancaster and Maud Chaworth ). Percy was thus a great-grandson of King Henry III .. During the reign of King Edward III. he held high administrative offices in northern England. In 1377 he was Marshal of England and Earl of Northumberland. But since Edwards grandson Richard II Percy's rival Ralph Neville promoted, Percy joined Richards cousin Henry Bolingbroke, who in 1399 took over as Henry IV power. As a reward was Percy constable of England. But Henry IV held commitments, which is land and money was concerned, he had made Percy, not one. In addition, he also held on to Neville. 1403 rebelled the mighty Percy therefore Together with his brother Thomas, Earl of Worcester, and his son Henry Percy, called Harry Hotspur. But the support of the Welsh rebel leader Owain Glyndŵr, at the Percy had left himself, failed to materialize. Harry Hotspur fell at the battle of Shrewsbury, Thomas Percy was captured and beheaded as a traitor. Henry Percy, who had not participated in the battle, initially only lost his offices. 1405 he took part in the rebellion of Richard le Scrope, Archbishop of York, against Henry IV. Also this uprising failed and Percy fled to Scotland. In 1408 he attempted an invasion and was killed at the Battle of Braham Moor.

Henry Percy was in his first marriage to Margaret Neville ( * 1341, † 1372 ), an aunt of his rival Ralph Neville, married. They had three sons: Henry Hotspur, Ralph (* 1365, † 1397 ) and Thomas (* 1366, † 1388 ). The second marriage with Mathilda ( Maud, * to 1359, † 1398 ), daughter of Lord Thomas Lucy remained childless.